Broadway Legacy, 1891-1928:
Robin Hood to New Moon

A Celebration of the American Musical Stage

Celebrate a century of one of America’s greatest contributions to the world of art - the Broadway musical - through word and song with Michael Ballam.

Possessing a PhD in Music History and Literature, Dr. Ballam has performed on the major stages of America and Europe in a vast repertoire that spans every form of the musical stage, from Broadway shows such as “Carousel,” “Oliver,” “West Side Story,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Stop the World,” and “Paint Your Wagon” through operettas including “Merry Widow,” “Mikado,” “Pirates of Penzance,” and “Die Fledermaus,” to grand opera such as “Carmen,” “La Boheme,” “La Traviata,” and “Madame Butterfly.”

Survey the development of one of the most fertile fields of art, planted and cultivated on American soil, through the passionate perspective of this consummate performing historian.

Includes excerpts from the following:

Tape One - Robin Hood to Ziegfield’s Follies (1891-1921)

Lyricists/Composers: Victor Herbert, George M. Cohan, Franz Lehar, Rudolf Friml, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin

Shows: “Babes in Toyland,” “Merry Widdow,” “Naughty Marietta,” “Ziegfield’s Follies”

Songs: O Promise Me, After the Ball, Toyland, Give My Regards to Broadway, Mary, Ah Sweet Mystery of Life, They Didn’t Believe Me, A Pretty Girl Is Likely a Melody

Tape Two - Rose Maire to New Moon (1924-1928)

Lyricists/Composers: Oscar Hammerstein, Rudolf Friml, George Gershwin, Sigmund Romberg, Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hart

Shows: “Rose Marie,” “Student Prince,” “No, No, Nanette,” “Good News!,” “Showboat,” “New Moon”

Songs: Indian Love Call, Manhattan, Tea for Two, Someone to Watch Over Me, My Heart Stood Still, S’Wonderful, Make-Believe, Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man, Old Man River